Seven questions

[face2face]

That would be a welcome change of pace.

No, not all of them, but some.
At this point, the questions are more important than the answers.

That was a concern. (a trajectory toward atheism) But I would more likely leave the church.
Many believers on this forum and others have already done that.
Although they have been on their own journeys.

Thanks for the response.

 

[St. SteVen]

That whole ninth commandment thing is a bit much don't you think?

I think there are a lot misunderstandings about the TCs.

Most think the ninth commandment is though shalt not lie. Not what it says.
Many also think the third commandment is about foul language.
"Do not take the name... in vain."
But they will try to confirm the validity of what they are claiming by saying,
"I swear to God...", thus actually breaking the commandment.

More to the point, by claiming I said something I didn't, you were
bearing false witness against me. For which I forgive you.

Basically putting words in my mouth that I didn't say.

 

[St. SteVen]

Thanks for the response.

I still attend church with my wife and am very active.
Do you attend?

 

[face2face]

I still attend church with my wife and am very active.
Do you attend?

Yes, I do though I spent many years away from it searching for truth.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes, I do though I spent many years away from it searching for truth.

Well...
If you think you turned out okay, maybe you should cut me some slack?
Have a blessed Sunday. I still love you.

 

[St. SteVen]

Seven questions:

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?
2) Why do I believe what I believe?
3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?
4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?
5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?
6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?
7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

Please copy the question you are responding to in your reply. Thanks.

]

 

[St. SteVen]

From the OP.

Seven questions:

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?
2) Why do I believe what I believe?
3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?
4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?
5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?
6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?
7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

Please copy the questions you are responding to in your reply. Thanks.

[

 

[Nancy]

“1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3, KJV).

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food." (Hebrewsb5:12

 

[Behold]

Seven questions:

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

God does not punish His Born again, but He will correct them for playing a religious game.
And you dont want that situation.
Why not?
Because that one is self inflicted.

Here is what will happen if you do it....
God will cause a situation to come to you, that you will have to endure, and there will be no way to end it, until He releases you from it.
And by the time its over, you are changed on the inside, and it was a hard process because being purge of "self" hurts a lot.
And to bring it upon yourself, ........... not a good idea.

So, its better to not try to bring that on yourself by doing anything that GOD would find offensive, .....no matter if you feel it shouldn't be.
You have to consider, more then how you see it.......as its how God views what you do, especially in public, that has to be perceived, or He'll cause you to learn to perceive it.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?

Because you were taught it by some man or church, cult, or commentary.

Some on this forum are Calvinists..
They were not that the first day of their Salvation......
They were TAUGHT to become one of those, deceived.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?

Depends on what you believe.

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?

No.

For example, one of the greatest human Devils who ever wrote Theology, was "Of the faith".

John Calvin.

His faith became warped by the Devil and He was used mightily within the Kingdom of Darkness, until this very day, and beyond.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?

If you have spent more time learning about world religions........ then you are doing it wrong., as nothing should be more "explored" by a Christian, then The Bible, The Faith, the History of it, and most especially Paul's Theology.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?

I dont have to worry about that as Christianity is not a Religion.
Its a restored Eternal Relationship with God, based on the Forgiveness of a Sinner's Sin, that allows them to become "one with God".

Christianity is "God come to us, to bring us Home to Him".

"Religion" is.. ."im trying to find MY way to God, or im trying to become like God according to how I THINK it needs to be accomplished".

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

If your faith is real and correct then you'll never doubt your salvation, and you'll never post a Thread or a Post that would try to cast doubt on the Bible or the finished work of Jesus on the Cross.

 

[St. SteVen]

“1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3, KJV).

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food." (Hebrewsb5:12

How does that relate to the seven questions? Are you saying there should be no questions? (probably not)

How do we know that we are the one in the "right" religion? Don't those in other religions make the same claim? (and with the same defense) ???

[

 

[Wrangler]

I've avoided this thread until now because it is more of the same concerning line of troubled thought. Your persistence suggests a desperation that I do believe is beyond human capacity to help. Yet, I feel prompted by the Spirit this morning.

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

It's not the question but the attitude, the lack of a humble heart that will be punished.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?

Complicated question for us all. It's a combination of what you've thought AND NOT thought on a topic. What is belief, as opposed to knowledge as opposed to ignorance? Let's take politics and the idea of 'separation of church and state.'

Some are totally ignorant of the issue. Some know it is not in the Constitution. Others believe it is in the Constitution due to various pathways of indoctrination.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?

Too vague to answer.

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?

Good. Better. Best. What is a bad measure for morality?

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?

This is the first question that I get the sense you are not asking for yourself but others. For me, I did study other religions in a fair amount of depth. Most don't. Most are not theologians. One does not have to study every branch of science to be a scientist.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?

Here, you pivot from "I" in question 5 (even though it seems you mean "you") to "you" in question 6. I don't play the "What If" game. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

Depends. You seem to be "thinking out loud." Express a proto-thought, a thought not quite fully developed. Your inability to articulate an explicit thesis is telling. And your many threads imply a disturbing theme of doubt and frankly, blasphemy. You lack the peace that transcends all understanding. Pray for this peace from the Holy Spirit of God.

 

[Episkopos]

Seven questions:


1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

You would be rewarded for such....as long as you are being honest.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?

Religious conditioning. Actual spiritual experiences. Indoctrinations... Human understandings. Diligent searchings in the bible.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?

each person must decide the depth at which a person is convinced of what they believe. Shallow people have shallow convictions. Deeper thinkers require more.

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?

The law is our measure.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?

Christianity is not a religion.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?

All religion is based on human understanding and the theories that arise from a human speculation.

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

It depends on the community. A dogmatic community would reject you. A spiritual community would wait to see what God might reveal to you.

Please copy the question you are responding to in your reply. Thanks.

You're welcome!

 

[Nancy]

How does that relate to the seven questions? Are you saying there should be no questions? (probably not)

How do we know that we are the one in the "right" religion? Don't those in other religions make the same claim? (and with the same defense) ???

[

Oh gosh no, I DO agree that we should feel free to question anything at all, everything really.
I was only pointing out some of the things that Face2face mentioned in post 11 in gendering strife.
I was rushing and had to leave for services and sorry I have not answered your questions.


Seven questions:


1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?
No, I think He would be pleased that I want to know Him better and His ways.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?
Because of (besides studies) all the times He came through for me in the most wonderful ways and ways I could never have dreamed of.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?
I think so.

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?
No. Satan believes and trembles.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?
Not nearly to the extent of Christianity but decades back I had bought a set of books on several of the other more prominent religions that gave a summary of them.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?
Then I suppose I will not have eternal life. I trust The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to guide me rightly.

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?
I think they would welcome them.


Please copy the question you are responding to in your reply. Thanks.

 

[LuxMundy]

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

Permitting it's God's will for one to know the answer(s) to the question(s), and they're sought honestly and sincerely, they will receive what they seek.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?

My answer depends on the belief.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?

See my answer to #2.

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?

It is the measurement of love, which one possesses in oneself, that provides the measure of one's perfection and refractoriness to all corruption. When love is complete, nothing more can come in to corrupt. The molecule which does not love is an easy breach for the infiltration of the first elements which are not love. And they force, distend, invade, and submerge the good elements, to the point of killing them.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?

I haven't explored other religions to the same extent as Christianity.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?

There are many religions in the world. Now, if we had here in a clear picture all their details, we would see that there is something like a golden thread, lost in much mud, a thread with many knots in which fragments of the real Truth are enclosed.

A soul becomes thus incarnate in a human body, bringing with it the memory of the Creator, that is of the Truth, as a secret gem in the mystery of its spiritual being. A baby is born. It may become good, very good or wicked. It may become anything because it is endowed with free will. The angelical ministry throws light on its "memories" and the tempter darkness. If man craves after light and thus for a greater and greater virtue, making his soul the master of his being, the faculty of remembering increases in the soul, as if virtue made the wall interposed between soul and God thinner and thinner. That is why virtuous people in every country perceive the Truth, not in a perfect way, as they are dulled by contrasting doctrines or by lethal ignorance, but in a sufficient manner to give pages of moral perfection to the peoples to whom they belong. In conclusion, the religion of virtue practised heroically predisposes the soul to the true Religion and to the knowledge of God.

Good is always good, faith has always the value of faith, and religion has always the value of religion if he who follows, practises and possesses them is convinced of being in the truth.

When on a nuptial bed a conception takes place, it is performed through the same action, whether it happens on a golden bed or on straw in a stable. And the creature which forms in a royal womb is not different from that which forms in the womb of a beggar. To conceive, to form a new being, is the same in every spot of the Earth, irrespective of parents' religion. All creatures are born as Abel and Cain were born of Eve's womb. And to the equality of conception, formation and manner of birth of the children of man and woman on the Earth, corresponds another equality in Heaven: the creation of a soul to be infused into the embryo, so that it may be the soul of a man and not of an animal, and it may accompany him from the moment of its creation until death, and may survive expecting the universal resurrection, when it will join the risen body and have with it a reward or a punishment. A reward or punishment according to the deeds accomplished in the earthly life.

Do not think that Charity is unfair, and that only because many people do not belong to Israel or to Christ, although they are virtuous in the religion which they follow convinced that it is the true one, they are to remain for ever without reward.

After the end of the world no other virtue will survive except Charity, that is, the Union of all the creatures who lived in justice, with the Creator. There will not be several Heavens: one for Israel, one for Christians, one for Catholics, one for Gentiles, one for heathens. There will be one Heaven only. And likewise there will be one reward only: God, the Creator, Who rejoins His creatures who lived according to justice, and in whom, because of the beauty of the souls and bodies of saints, He will admire Himself with the joy of Father and of God. There will be one Lord only. Not one Lord for Israel, one for Catholicism, one for each of the other religions.

Do not always wait for the Holy Spirit to clarify the truth after years or centuries of darkness. Listen. You may say: "Then, what justice is there in belonging to the holy religion, if at the end of the world we shall be treated exactly as the Gentiles?" I reply to you: the same justice which there is and it is true justice—for those who, although they belong to the holy religion, will not be beatified, because they they did not lead a holy life. A virtuous heathen, only because he lived according to choice virtue, convinced that his religion was good, will have Heaven at the end. When? At the end of the world, when of the four abodes of the dead, two only will remain: that is, Paradise and Hell. Because Justice, at that time, will only be able to keep and give the two eternal kingdoms to those, who from the tree of free will, chose good fruits or wanted wicked ones. But what a long expectation before a virtuous heathen achieves that reward!...Do You not think so? And that expectation, particularly from the moment when Redemption will have taken place with all its consequent wonders and the Gospel will have been preached all over the world, will be the purgation of the souls which lived with justice in other religions, but were not able to enter the true Faith, after they became acquainted with its existence and the proof of its reality. Their abode will be Limbo for centuries and centuries, until the end of the world. The believers in the true God, who were not heroically holy, will have a long Purgatory, which may last until the end of the world for some of them. But after expiating and waiting, the good, irrespective of their provenance, will all sit at the right hand of God; the wicked, whichever their provenance may be, at the left hand and then in the dreadful Hell, while the Saviour will enter the eternal Kingdom with all the good souls.

True religion consists in God's commandments, not in vain pompous sacrifices. It is necessary to obey the precepts of perfect morals, of faultless virtue, to be merciful, to avoid what dishonours man to give up vanities, deceptive divinations, false augurs, the dreams of the wicked, as the sapiential book says, to make use of the gifts of God with justice, that is health, wealth, riches, intellect, power, not to be proud, as pride is a sign of stupidity because man is alive, healthy, rich, wise, powerful as long as God grants him it, not to cherish immoderate desires that often lead one even to commit crime. Summing up, one must live as a man and not as a brute, also out of respect for oneself.

It is easy to descend, it is difficult to rise. But who would like to live in a putrid abyss only because he has fallen into it, and would not try to come out of it climbing back to the flowery summits bright with sunlight? Life of a sinner is placed in an abyss and likewise a life in error. But those who receive the Word of truth and come to the Truth climb to the tops of the Light.

The deeds of men, the true deeds, that is, his behaviour at home, in business, towards his neighbour and servants, are the things that testify: "This man is a servant of the Lord." Because holy deeds are the fruit of true religion.

Additionally, there's further material for the Christian (Catholic) Church, represented by Jesus's Vicar (the Pope), to fight against those who deny:

♦ the supernaturalness of dogmas;

♦ the divinity of the Christ; the truth of the Christ God and Man, real and perfect both in the faith and in the history that has been handed down on Him (Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Apostolic Letters, tradition);

♦ the doctrine of Paul and John and of the councils of Nicea, Ephesus and Chalcedon, as Jesus's true doctrine verbally taught by Him;

♦ Jesus's unlimited science, as it is divine and perfect;

♦ the divine origin of the dogmas of the Sacraments of the Church One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic;

♦ the universality and continuity, until the end of time, of the Gospel given by Jesus for all men;

♦ the perfect nature, from the beginning, of Jesus's doctrine that has not been formed, as it is, through successive transformations, but was given as it is: the Doctrine of the Christ, of the time of Grace, of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God in you, divine, perfect, immutable. The Gospel for all those thirsting for God.

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

It wouldn't be an issue.

 

[St. SteVen]

After the end of the world no other virtue will survive except Charity, that is, the Union of all the creatures who lived in justice, with the Creator. There will not be several Heavens: one for Israel, one for Christians, one for Catholics, one for Gentiles, one for heathens. There will be one Heaven only. And likewise there will be one reward only: God, the Creator, Who rejoins His creatures who lived according to justice, and in whom, because of the beauty of the souls and bodies of saints, He will admire Himself with the joy of Father and of God. There will be one Lord only. Not one Lord for Israel, one for Catholicism, one for each of the other religions.

I resonated with this bit. Pretty much the way I see it.

[

 

[amadeus]

Seven questions:

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?
No.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?
My own experience with God and His Son including what I have encountered in the Bible.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?
A good reason to believe what we do is that we are being led by the Holy Spirit.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?
Yes, if the belief or faith is in God and the things of God.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?
No.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?
Would the Holy Spirit lead a person the wrong way? How does one recognize the lead of the Holy Spirit? How does one receive eyes to see the truth?

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev 3:18

Is not the eyesalve, the Holy Spirit?

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?
No problem for those who are no exploring or who have explored the same questions.

 

[St. SteVen]

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?
Yes, if the belief or faith is in God and the things of God.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?
No.

What do you suppose is the source of morality in other religions?

[

 

[Behold]

1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

God has no issue with doubt, or hard questions, as no question is "hard", regarding God's knowledge.

And a person says..

"well, sometimes i doubt".. "sometimes my faith seems wrong or gone".

And Reader, the reason this can happen, (if you're born again, and not just water baptized and religious).... the reason you doubt is because you are still trying to earn from God, what is given freely 2000 yrs ago.
You're still trying to keep yourself saved, as at some point you stopped actually trusting in Christ, and your faith shifted to yourself, trying to be good enough, trying to earn what God gives freely, already, 2000 yrs ago.
So, once you actually come to the place of Grace, where you realize that God saved you when you were a dirty rotten sinner..... and not because you were good......then once you get that message, ... you will realize that Salvation is not of you.
Its all of God.
Its "the Gift of Salvation".. and you can't earn it, and you can't keep it..
See, its not based on you. Your Salvation is not based on you...its based on What Jesus DID for you, on The Cross..

Salvation, is THAT GIFT.......of Himself, for you.

Now regarding hard questions..
If the person goes to a Forum, to ask "hard questions" to elicit reactions and arguments.... then that proves they are trying to cast accusations against God, as obviously, posting a Thread, is not asking God a Question, its doing something quite different.
If you want to ask God a "hard question" you do that alone with God........not on a Forum.

Here is the thing...

"God is not mocked"..

And when that is your "Threads" and "Questions"......... then you have a situation that you dont want to be in.....as this game you are playing will get you hurt, if it does not get you killed.

I personally know people who wanted to "test God" by finding ways to try to mock God with "hard questions" and "accusations and insults guised as questions".. and some wrote books, and they didnt die well.

So, take my advice... Find another way to Play.

2) Why do I believe what I believe?

There is the Believing that is simple faith, based on understanding that you are a sinner, needing to be forgiven.

And then there is all that follows that.....where the cults, and the Teachers, and the Church Fathers, and the Book and commentary writers, and ALL OF THAT...........comes into your life, and head, and most of the time, you are finished.
See. the devil has so many cults....so many writers... so many preachers......

Its very difficult to NOT end up, in a Theologically messed up mind and broken faith.

The way around that is to do what Hebrews 13:9 tells you to do with your Heart., or, that verse explains what is going to happen to your head that will ruin your faith, your walk with God, and your Christianity.

3) Is this a good reason to believe in this?

Go here first Reader, if you've not done it yet, and study all this for a while.

Start with Hebrews 13:9

Romans 3:21-28

2 Corinthians 5:19

John 3:17

Romans 4:8

4) Is belief, or faith, a good measure for morality?

Faith is not a measure of Morality. Its a measure of Trust.

5) Have I explored other religions to the extent that I explored Christianity?

Once a believer is become sound in Doctrine that Paul teaches, and after they are past the diaper baby Hebrews 6:1 stage.

And once they understand that Salvation can't be lost...

One you are there, then you are equipped to Study the Cults, and not get lost in it.

6) What if you are the one in the wrong religion?

Religion is Man's way of trying to reach God or trying to become God.

Christianity, is God come to Us, as Jesus on The Cross, to reconcile us eternally to Himself.

Those are not the same.

7) How would my faith community react to my exploring these questions?

That's not something to be concerned about.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

God has no issue with doubt...

Are you sure?

God saved you when you were a dirty rotten sinner.....

Hello, Calvin...

Now regarding hard questions..
If the person goes to a Forum, to ask "hard questions" to elicit reactions and arguments.... then that proves they are trying to cast accusations against God, as obviously, posting a Thread, is not asking God a Question, its doing something quite different.
If you want to ask God a "hard question" you do that alone with God........not on a Forum.

There is definitely a religious social stigma attached to voicing questions. It offends the religious.
How dare I ask such questions in public? As if doubts should be a private thing, so as to not upset the apple cart of church.
Supporters of this closed mouth tyranny try to shame anyone who would dare speak up.
Referring to such questions as "accusations against God".

And when that is your "Threads" and "Questions"......... then you have a situation that you dont want to be in.....as this game you are playing will get you hurt, if it does not get you killed.

So, you are threatening that God will kill me for asking questions in public?
What sort of god is that?

I personally know people who wanted to "test God" by finding ways to try to mock God with "hard questions" and "accusations and insults guised as questions".. and some wrote books, and they didnt die well.

So, take my advice... Find another way to Play.

They didn't "die well"? - LOL

So, I should shut up before God kills me? (feel the love)

[

 

[Behold]

St. SteVen said:
1) Would a good God punish me for asking the hard questions?

Are you sure?

He wont rebuke someone for asking hard questions..

He will rebuke someone who comes to a public forum, to abuse God and His word.. with false accusations, and then they make this worse by lying when they say they are just "asking hard questions".

See, if you were sincere, and honest, you would ask God your silly questions, in private, and not try to ACCUSE God and the word of God, on a forum with your silly questions that are actually accusations..., for everyone to READ so that they can, as you hope, become confused, or doubtful, or become disrespectful of God and the Bible.

There is definitely a religious social stigma attached to voicing questions. It offends the religious.

The issue isnt your questions, @St. SteVen .

The issue is you using a Pubic forum, over and over to voice your doubt about the Bible, while you post your accusations against God, under the guise of "questions".

This is abuse of the Holy, and you pretend you are just "asking questions"...

So, who on the Forum is God?
Your questions are ON THE FORUM, to the FORUM..
So, if you were honest, you would be asking GOD, not the forum, "questions" that you say, you are "asking God".

So, you are threatening that God will kill me for asking questions in public?
What sort of god is that?

He's this one..,

"Its a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of THE LIVING God".

"God is not MOCKED".

"JESUS is the avenger of all those who would try to deceive other Christians, regarding business".


See that Jesus and that Father God?

Take a good look and reconsider your purpose for being on this forum, @St. SteVen .

So, I should shut up before God kills me? (feel the love)

And when did you show God or His Son any love on this Forum?

Where is a THREAD by you, that exalts and glorifies and LOVES God and Christ"?

THAT does not EXIST as that is not what your Threads are designed to offer this Forum.

And if i know it, do you actually believe that God is oblivious?
See....Because the Mercy of God is what causes execution of Judgment against a Mocker, to be a while coming, you think this is humorous.